Lighter with energy buildup mechanism



April 7, 1970 vosl-uo KANAMARU LIGHTER WITH ENERGY BUILDUP MECHANISM sSheets-Sheet 1 PRESSURE INVENTOR YOSHI'O KANAMARU ATTORNEYS April 7,1970 YOSHIO KANAMARU LIGHTER WITH ENERGY aux-mm? MECHANISM 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1967 INVENTOR YOSHIO KANAMARU W WinesATTORNEYS April 7, 1970 YQSHIO KANAMARU 1 5 LIGHTER WITH ENERGY BUILDUPMECHANISM ,Filed Aug. 24. 1967 s Sheets-Sheet :5

Fla 8 INVENTOR YOSHIO KANAMARU M Wm- ATTORNEYS United States Patent U.S.Cl. 431-454 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Automatic lighterfeaturing depressible action and energy storing mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term automatic is used frequently todesignate lighters in which downward pressure on the fingerpiecereleases fuel and causes ignition at approximately the same time. By andlarge, such automatic lighters fall into two categories.

First, there is the conventional pinion and rack mechanism, illustratedschematically in FIG. 1 of the drawings, in which the depressiblemovement of the fingerpiece and rack causes the pinion and sparkingwheel to turn. This action is for the most part constant in the sensethat no energy is built up or stored during the downward movement of thefingerpiece except, of course, that energy may be stored because offriction between the flint and flintwheel. Stated somewhat differently,if the speed of rotation of the sparking wheel varies it is because thedownward-depressible movement of the fingerpiece changes speed as aresult of varying pressure being exerted by the finger of the user. Onthis type of automatic construction, the rack acts tangentially withrespect to the flint wheel.

The other type of automatic lighter features a sliding motion,illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, in which an energy building upmechanism is present. In this type of construction, acceleration in thespeed of rotation of the sparking wheel is achieved. Despite the factthat this sliding automatic action provides for the storing of energy,nevertheless, the most natural or desirable actuating action for anyautomatic lighter is by depressing action rather than by sliding action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention enables an automaticlighter to be actuated by depressing action while providing an energystoring mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustratingthe now conventional pinion and rack depressing action for automaticlighters;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sliding action energybuilding up mechanism found in other automatic lighters;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the energy storing mechanismof the present invention for use in automatic lighters actuated bydepressing action;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating resolution of forcesinvolved in the energy storing mechanism of the present invention,particularly during the energy storage phase defined by the angle 18 andthe point at which the stored energy is suddenly released defined byline 50-52;

FIG. 4 isa perspective view broken in part illustrating a firstembodiment of the present automatic lighter in idle position;

3,504,995 Patented Apr. 7, 1970 FIG. 9 is a perspective view broken inpart of the second embodiment lighter in idle position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of review, andwith reference to FIG. 1, the now conventional depressing actionautomatic lighter consists of fingerpiece 10 having teeth 12 which meshwith teeth 14 of a suitable driving member which is operatively linkedto sparking wheel 16. As fingerpiece 10 is depressed, sparking wheel 16is turned by the pinion and rack mechanism. However, as mentionedpreviously, there is no storing of energy and thus the sparking isdispersed and frequently non-eifective.

The alternative slide automatic lighter mechanism is illustrated in FIG.2 and consists of fingerpiece 20 operatively connected through pin 22 tosparking wheel 24 which is pivoted about pin 26. Thus, as fingerpiece 20is slid about pivot point 28, a phase-designated by the angle alpha(a)-occurs in which energy is stored. Specifically, the building up orstoring phase occurs within that angle defined between the line runningthrough centers 22-26 and the line 23-26 representing the positionassumed by fingerpiece 20 when pin 22 is directly above pin 26. Ofcourse, this energy storing phase fluctuates with variables such asfriction between flint and flint wheel and spring pressure.

In FIG. 3 is represented schematically the automatic action of thepresent invention. The reference numeral 40 designates generally thelighter fingerpiece while the flint wheel is designated by referencenumeral 42. Rod 44 is pivotably connected to fingerpiece 40 by pin 46and sparking wheel 42 by pin 48. The reference numeral 50 designates theaxis of sparking wheel 42. Actuation occurs by depressing fingerpiece40. The storing phase takes place within angle (13) defined betweenlines 48-50 and 50-52, the latter generally paralleling the axis offingerpiece 40. When pin 48 rotates clockwise with the depression offingerpiece 40 and reaches the area around line '50-52, the storedenergy is suddenly released against the friction force between flint andflint wheel and sparking wheel 42 forcefully rotated to produce aconcentration of sparks. It is clear, then, that the systemschematically illustrated in FIG. 3 provides for the desired depressiblefingerpiece action as well as an energy storing mechanism. As seen inFIG. 3A, the force applied by fingerpiece 40 tangentially to sparkingwheel 42 through pin 48 is equal to the total force F applied byfingerpiece 40 multiplied by the cos angle ,8. Stored energy is releasedas pin 48 rotates clockwise and reaches line 50-52 at which time all ofthe total force is applied tangentially to sparking wheel 42 through pin48, i.e. the total force F equals F cos B. Naturally, there are frictionforces present throughout.

tank 60 within which is mounted burner valve assembly 62 having movablevalve stem 64. On to of fuel tank 60 is mounted bracket 66 beinggenerally U-shaped in configuration within which is supported shaft 68around which flint or sparking wheel 70 rotates. Shaft 68 supports flintWheel 70 within bracket 66 while also rotatably supporting wheel cover72. Mounted within the top of lighter cover 74 is support 76 havingopening 78 above burner nozzle 64. The lower turned portion 82 ofsupport 76 is designed to depress downwardly upon conically configuredburner nozzle 64 to open the burner valve and emit gas, as illustratedin FIG. 5, when cover 74 is depressed downwardly. The sparking system issubstantially as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. Connection betweensupport 76 (fingerpiece) and flint wheel 70 is accomplished throughconnecting rod 84 supported at one end by pin 80 and at the other end bypin 86. Cover 74 is restored to its idle position with the use of aspring assembly 87 positioned between the top of cover 74 and the top offuel tank 60. Spring assembly 87 consists of support 89 and helicalspring 91, as seen in detail in FIG. 8. The degree of depressability oftop 74 is controlled by L-shaped bracket 88 secured to the top of fueltank 60 and pin 90 located within slot 92 of bracket 88 and secured tocover 74.

The burner valve assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 67 where it can beseen that burner valve stem 64 is normally biased upwardly by spring 94located Within the burner valve assembly. In this position, orifice 96is blocked by gasket 98 in such manner to prevent gas from leavingnozzle 64. As valve stem 64 is depressed by actuating shoulder 82 ofsupport 76 of cover 74, orifice 96 is uncovered, as seen in FIG. 7,permitting gas to pass upwardly through the burner valve assembly. Theconstruction of the burner valve has not been set forth in detail,reference being made to the inventors US. Patent 3,314,- 252 :whichissued Apr. 18, 1967, incorporated by specific reference into thisdisclosure.

As will now be apparent, when the top of cover 74 is pressed downwardly,shoulder 82 forces burner valve stem 64 downwardly opening the burnervalve permitting fuel to pass upwardly through nozzle 64. At the sametime, connecting rods 84 are set in motion rotating flint wheel cover 72and flint wheel 70 clockwise to produce sparking to ignite fuel beingemitted through nozzle 64. Downward movement of cover 74 is terminatedby pin 90 and bracket 88. The reference numeral 73 (FIGS. 8 and 9)designates generally a flint assembly, conventional in most lighters.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8and 9. Specifically, an auxiliary energy storing mechanism is employedwhich is generally designated by the reference numeral 100. Projectingdownwardly from support 76 is a first arm 102 terminating in flange 104.Attached to the top of fuel tank 60 is a second arm 106 terminating inflange 108. Thus, it is possible for flanges 104 and 108 to engage anddisengage with each other as cover 74 moves in relationship to casing60. The entire auxiliary energy storing mechanism 100 is made ofresilient material. Thus, as cover 74 is moved downwardly flange 104comes into contact with flange 108 and these flanges are compressedagainst each other until the downward force of cover 74 is great enoughto cause flange 104 to push its way downwardly in accelerated fashion.In this manner, flint wheel 70 is suddenly rotated by the action ofconnecting rod 84, and auxiliary system 100. It must be kept in mindthat auxiliary energy storing mechanism 100 works in conjunction withthe principles set forth in relationship to schematic FIG. 3 andpreviously discussed.

Aside from the advantage of producing a lighter in which the depressingaction of the fingerpiece produces an energy storing stage resulting ineventual sudden release and forceful movement of the flintwheel, otheradvantages are now apparent.

The top of cover 74 protects the vital parts of the lighter, includingburner valve 62 and the entire ignition mechanism including sparkingwheel 70. Thus, the automatic mechanism is protected from damage.

The present construction also eliminates the need of a snuffer cap.

As the entire burning chamber is located within cover 74, lighting isassured even during windy conditions.

As the burner valve assembly 62 is opened by depressing valve stem 64,in contrast to the conventional technique of pushing the burner valvestem upwardly to initiate flow of fuel, the motion of the cover 74 andburner valve stem 64 and related parts are all in the same directionthus making the motion more natural and causing less wear and tear onvalve and lighter parts.

The configuration of lower support 82 which is used to contact anddepress valve stem 64 is more substantial and stronger than theconventional technique for actuating lighter burner valves. The entireburner chamber is also more spacious.

The entire concept of enveloping the fuel reservoir 60 with the slidablecover 74 results in a smooth working operation, as contrasted withpresently marketed constructions.

What is claimed is:

1. An energy storing ignition system for a lighter, comprising:

(A) an ignition assembly, means orienting the ignition assembly foraction along a path for lighting fuel;

(B) a fingerpiece to be depressed by the user, means mounting thefingerpiece for movement along a rectilinear path and means resilientlybiasing the fingerpiece in an inoperative position; and

(C) means connecting the fingerpiece and ignition assembly fortransmitting the force applied to the fingerpiece by the user to theignition assembly while storing energy as the fingerpiece moves theignition assembly through a first phase and releasing the stored energyupon movement of the ignition assembly to a second phase so as toforcefully actuate the ignition assembly including a linkage attached atone end to and acting on a fixed first point on the ignition assemblyand attached at the other end thereof to the fingerpiece at a fixedsecond point such that the distance between the first and second pointsremains constant, the axis of the linkage between the first and secondpoints intersecting the path of the ignition assembly at an anglethrough the first phase and being coincident with the path of theignition assembly at the second phase.

2. A lighter energy storing ignition system as in claim 1, wherein theignition assembly constitutes a sparking wheel and flint assembly, thepath of the sparking wheel ignition assembly being rotational, the fixedfirst point being located at the periphery of the sparking wheel whereinthe linkage is pivotably connected to the sparking wheel, the firstphase in which energy is stored being designated by the angle ,8 definedby the fixed first point on the sparking wheel ignition assembly, theaxis of rotation of the sparking wheel ignition assembly and a pointsuperimposed on the sparking wheel path at which the axis of the linkageis tangential to the periphery of the sparking wheel, such that duringthe first energy storage phase the force being applied by thefingerpiece to the sparking wheel through the fixed first pointtangential to the sparking wheel is F cos B which is less than the totalforce F applied by the fingerpiece to the sparking wheel while at thesecond phase wherein energy is suddenly released the force F cos 8applied by the fingerpiece to the sparking wheel through the fixed firstpoint tangential to the sparking wheel is effectively equal to the totalforce F applied by the fingerpiece to the sparking wheel.

3. A lighter energy storing ignition system as in claim 2, including asecond system for storing additional energy during the first phase,including a first flexible member attached to the fingerpiece and asecond flexible member mounted upon the body of the lighter such that asthe fingerpiece is depressed the first and second members contact andcompress each other storing energy until overcome by the continuingdepressing force of the fingerpiece thus releasing still additionalenergy at the second phase.

4. A lighter, comprising:

(A) a fuel storing container having an outlet;

(B) a burner valve, means securing the burner valve to the outlet, meansoperatively mounting the burner valve to move between a closed positionand an open position;

(C) an ignition assembly constituting a sparking wheel and flintassembly, the path of the sparking wheel ignition assembly beingrotational;

(D) a fingerpiece toi,,be depressed by the user, means mounting thefingerpiece for movement along a rectilinear path, means resilientlybiasing the fingerpiece in an inoperative positionj (E) means connectingthe fingerpiece and the ignition assembly for transmitting the forcesupplied to the fingerpiece by the user to the ignition assembly whilestoring energy as the fingerpiece moves the ignition assembly through afirst phase and releasing the stored energy upon movement of theignition assembly to a second phase to forcefully actuate the ignitionassembly, the means connecting the fingerpiece and ignition assemblyconsisting of a linkage member attached to the fingerpiece at a firstpoint and pivotably attached to the outer periphery of the sparkingWheel at a second point, said first and second points remainingequidistant from each other during operation of the fingerpiece and theignition assembly insuring that substantially all of the total forcesupplied to the linkage member by the fingerpiece is transmitted to theignition assembly through the second point, the linkage member actingtangentially upon the second point at which the linkage member ispivotably connected to the sparking Wheel at the second phase; and

(F) means connecting the fingerpiece and burner valve to move the burnervalve to its open position at a predetermined position during thedepressing action of the fingerpiece.

5. A lighter as in claim 4, including a second system for storingadditional energy during the first phase, including a first flexiblemember attached to the fingerpiece and a second flexible member mountedupon the body of the lighter such that as the fingerpiece is depressedthe first and second members contact and compress each other storingenergy until overcome by the continuing depressing force of thefingerpiece thus releasing the stored energy.

6. A lighter as in claim 4, wherein said fingerpiece is a coverencompassing a portion of the lighter including means permitting thecover to be depressed downwardly about the casing of the lighter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,874,892 8/1932 Butler 431-1391,944,177 1/ 1934 Holtzman 431276 X 2,583,692 1/1952 Florman 431-2,692,490 10/ 1954 Florman 431-130 2,720,098 10/ 1955 Wagner 4311302,427,058 9/1947 Kolberg et a1. 431----149 2,482,807 9/1949 Strother431-137 2,979,930 4/ 1961 Ichikawa 431-149 3,132,498 5/ 1964 Lowenthal431--131 3,149,484 9/1964 Kobayashi 431--131 3,390,945 7/ 1968 Wieden eta1 431--131 FOREIGN PATENTS 673,999 10 1949 Great Britain. 373,9944/1923 Germany.

EDWARD J. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 431274, 344

